That Mario Kart is one of the most popular games in the world is no surprise. The game, which has been part of many people’s lives for a long time, hides a very curious – and we must say, very nostalgic – detail: a secret track. But it’s not just any track; it’s one of the most classic and oldest in the Mario Kart universe. Discover which track we are talking about and why this is a great discovery.
A traditional track that marked a generation, still alive after 33 years
A novelty, or should we say, a discovery in the Mario Kart world that went unnoticed for 33 years has come to light. The traditional Rainbow Road track, which is one of the most classic and colorful in the game universe, has returned as a reward or a goal within the game. And this at least activates a sense of nostalgia in the game’s fans.
Rainbow Road was introduced in Mario Kart in 1992, and completed 33 years this year, which is the main reason it evokes a sense of nostalgia in players, in addition to being a visually and technically striking track. As expected, the track is extremely colorful and presents a level of difficulty that players love to face.
With the launch of Mario Kart World, alongside Switch 2 in the first week of this month, June, the famous track is back, but not as a simple track from the catalog. First, players will have to earn the right to race on it, and for that, there is a small challenge.
How to access the hidden legendary track?
With the weight of tradition that the track carries, it is to be expected that it is not directly accessible at the beginning of the game. To unlock it, players need to complete – but not necessarily win – all the other cups in the Grand Prix mode: Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, Shell Cup, Banana Cup, Leaf Cup, and Lightning Cup.
Only after participating in all the races of the Grand Prix mode does the track become available to players. The best news is that it is not necessary to win or achieve a minimum placement for this; just participating in all of the races already guarantees the release of the Rainbow Road, with the qualification for the Special Cup.
Like the other cups in the game, the Special Cup features a total of 4 thrilling tracks, with the last one being the legendary Rainbow Road. The other three are: Acorn Heights, Mario Circuit, and Peach Stadium.
The importance of the track for the Mario Kart universe today
Even for many people who are not fans of Mario Kart or even some who are not used to playing video games, they can recognize the image of the track that is so iconic to the game. The use of the track in Nintendo’s more modern platforms is a way for the brand to keep alive the traditional and magical characteristics of the game, which is a major contributor to the success of the franchise, even after decades of development and changes across all the titles in Nintendo’s catalog.
The use of the iconic track in today’s game represents more than just a challenge or stage of the game. It is a way to honor the legacy and tradition of Mario Kart, which has characteristics of innovating and evolving over time, but always adhering to the pillars and original visual identity that have been responsible for the game’s success over the years and that endure to this day. And nothing better than the legendary Rainbow Road to illustrate this.
